ROCKFORD — All four lanes of the new white-arched Morgan Street Bridge will open for good at 11 a.m. Tuesday, putting to rest a 14-year, $40 million project.

Christmas lights are ready to light up the 500-foot steel tied arch bridge as the project finishes a week ahead of schedule and on budget, Public Works Director Tim Hanson said.

The project included the installation of the College Avenue and Seminary Street roundabout and the complete reconstruction of Morgan Street as it approaches the bridge. It connects two south-side neighborhoods on either side of the Rock River.

The bridge was built in 1916 and last rebuilt in 1960. It the latest of several multimillion dollar downtown infrastructure projects.

“Now you got the river walk and Auburn Street roundabout; you got the Morgan Street Bridge and West State Street and South Main,” Hanson said. “Then we’re going to turn around and do North Main Street. It keeps on going.”

City officials will open the bridge with a small ceremony at 11 a.m. at the center of the bridge. The ceremony will quickly move inside City Hall for food and refreshments.